Family Spirit Strengths: Home visits for parents and caregivers facing mental distress and substance misuse
Official title: Family Spirit Strengths: A home visiting strategy to support parents and caregivers with mental distress and substance misuse
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11111411 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This program offers home visits to help parents and caregivers in Tribal communities who are experiencing mental health challenges or substance misuse.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $528,857 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA057913-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11111411 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are primary caregivers in participating Tribal communities who are at elevated risk for mental health or substance use disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not living in the specific Tribal communities where this program is being offered would not be able to participate directly in this particular effort.
What this research studies
Many Tribal communities face significant challenges with mental health and substance misuse, which can affect families for generations. This program, called Family Spirit Strengths (FSS), was created with these communities to offer skills-based support to mothers and primary caregivers. We are testing if FSS can help reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and substance use among caregivers. Participants will either receive the FSS program or a helpful nutrition support program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this program could offer a valuable way to support the mental health and well-being of caregivers and their families in Tribal communities, potentially breaking cycles of trauma.
How similar studies have gone: The Family Spirit Strengths intervention has been designed and piloted in close collaboration with communities, and the control group is an existing evidence-based program, suggesting a foundation of prior work.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Haroz, Emily — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Haroz, Emily
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Family Spirit Strengths: A home visiting program to help parents and caregivers facing distress and substance use
A home-visiting program designed for caregivers in Tribal communities to reduce depression, anxiety, and substance use and improve family wellbeing.
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A home visiting program to support parents and caregivers facing mental health and substance use challenges
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.